Beacon Bash — Empowering Avalanche Education
Beacon Bash is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit co-founded by Engearment’s Sean Sewell, Wade Lancaster, and Will Coleman. Our mission is simple: bring the backcountry community together to promote avalanche safety education, beacon search practice, and support for avalanche forecasting programs.
⛰️ What Is Beacon Bash?
Every year before backcountry season kicks off, Beacon Bash hosts events where skiers, splitboarders, and backcountry enthusiasts come together to practice avalanche beacon searches, learn from local avalanche schools, and brush up on backcountry safety skills. What started as a small gathering in the parking lot at Berthoud Pass has grown into one of Colorado’s premier early-season avalanche education events, now hosted at Winter Park Resort.
Beacon Bash has raised money and awareness for avalanche education programs including the Friends of CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center), Silverton Avalanche Guides avy education scholarships, and the Taos Rescue Dogs program.
🎤 What We Do
Learning for Everyone — We work with local avalanche schools and backcountry vendors to ensure everyone has access to current avalanche information, continuing education, and the tools they need to be safe in the backcountry.
Continuing Avalanche Education — We create an informative and fun atmosphere to learn new skills and brush up on old ones — from the latest beacon technology to new rescue methods. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned backcountry traveler, there’s something to learn.
Supporting the Community — Education happens within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the event to help ensure the backcountry community has the support it needs — including funding for avalanche weather forecasts and rescue programs.
🙏 Get Involved
Beacon Bash runs on community support. Here’s how you can help:
→ See upcoming Beacon Bash events
→ Become a sponsor
→ Meet the team
→ Read our vision
🎧 Beacon Bash on the Engearment Podcast
We’ve covered Beacon Bash extensively on the Engearment Podcast — from recapping events to interviewing avalanche educators and backcountry athletes. Check out these episodes:
→ Live from Jones Pass — Beacon Bash 2025
→ 6th Annual Beacon Bash at Winter Park
→ Beacon Bash Sante Fe — Jones Splitboards, OMA, Arc’teryx
→ 2025 Beacon Bash Sante Fe
Contact: info@beaconbash.org
Website: BeaconBash.org
Beacon Bash is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.